Rough Rider,

1001 North Central Avenue, Basement, Phoenix, AZ 85004

"Cozy comfortable speak-easy vibe. Drinks are unique. Some are really good. Some are quite odd, but end up tasting better than you think they would once you start drinking them. Service is good. I recommend making a reservation. The place is on the smaller side, and people stay for a while, so you might wait for a while getting seated. The oysters tasted better and fresher than other raw bars I’ve been to. Fried cauliflower was phenomenal. The sauce and picked onions went very well together with the cauliflower. The bone-in pork chop was so delicious that I chewed on the bone after I finished the melt-in-your-mouth meat. The apple-laced slaw that comes with the pork chop was a bit heavy on the apple cider vinegar flavor, but complimented the pork chop. Save your pennies for this place….its a bit on the slightly more expensive side. I’m coming back again soon!"

"We went to Rough Rider for the basement speakeasy vibe and kitschy Teddy Roosevelt concept, but ended up loving the food and drink as well. Portions are large, hearty, and extremely flavorful, and the tag team service of multiple waitstaff is attentive and cheerful. We particularly loved the spicy, layered tastes of the white bean dish. The potatoes and artichokes dish also was a rich, perfectly cooked delight. My favorite drink was the Martini of Honor, which was essentially the most delicious and perfectly balanced Vesper ever, with gin, vodka, a housemade vermouth blend, and orange bitters. I need to go back for another! While pricey, the quality and portions warrant the cost — especially since everything is pricey these days."

"Dark, historical, cozy, intimate, delicious! Must believe it’s precisely the kind of haunt Teddy would frequent for a strong libation, neat, after an all day ride. Gorgeous ambiance, perfect mix of all the best. The cocktail menu is above and beyond. Such interesting options! I went with mother of pearl and port to port. Both had complex flavors, aesthetics and of course, elegant drink ware. We sat at the bar and the service was perfection. They have a team behind the bar! We got the crab dip (obviously), the pasta and mussels. Crab dip was creamy, flavorful and absolutely on point but the star of the show may have been the sauce that accompanied the mussels. Tomato base, sharp fennel, all a yummy bowl you could cozy up to. Both crab dip and mussels were served with the yummiest, moistest, noble sourdough bread. I loved all the history on the walls and the dark ambiance it was so intimate and perfect! Would love to go back to try entire menu"

"Finally was able to check this place. We went on a Wednesday around 5pm therefore we were lucky to be able to get a spot at the bar as reservations are encouraged. Our bartenders were amazing, the explanation of everything was great. I has the pasta which was amazing however it needed a carb of some sort, same with the pork chop just had slaw, understandable we could order another side but maybe having a few variety of be helpful. I personally had a Mocktail and it def hit the spot. We were not super dressed up however we never felt out of place."

"My new absolute favorite spot for food and drinks! When you think speakeasy, you expect only top notch drinks and Rough Rider absolutely delivers. The bartender made me an off-menu cocktail that I absolutely loved! Nailed my preferences! The food is delicious and right up to par with the drinks. There was not a single dish that was not absolutely delicious! Service was great as well! Only downside was the server reminded us that gratuity wasn’t included in the bill which felt uncalled for and unprofessional. None the less, I will be returning soon!"